What is acceptable worship in the church Christ built?

Lesson 5:

I. A church is not a church in the sight of God unless it is built on the foundation of Christ. · The one true church belongs to Christ.Matthew 16:16-1816 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. · Why must a church be built upon the foundation of Christ?Matthew 7:24-2724 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”Matthew 15:13-1413 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” · Christ is concerned with our obedience and allegiance to Him, not just good deeds.Matthew 7:21-2321 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ · Throughout time God has made it clear that one way is not just as good as another. o Before we examine some passages, remember that we are to learn of God’s nature and the examples within the Old Testament.Romans 15:4 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.1 Corinthians 10:11 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. o Before the flood God chose one boat, built upon His commandments, to be saved. Genesis 6:13-2213 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 15 And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21 And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.” 22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.Genesis 7:2323 So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.1 Peter 3:20-2120 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, o Before the 10th plague God chose one way, built upon His commandments, that would save the first born child from death.Exodus 12:21-23, 2921 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. (…) 29 And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. II. What are the different types of worship? · All worship that is unacceptable to God is vain worship.Mark 7:6-86 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘ This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” · Ignorant worship is a type of vain worship.John 4:20, 2220 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” (…) 22You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.Acts 17:2323 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: · Man imposed worship is a type of vain worship.Colossians 2:20-2320 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. · Those that who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ and worship falsely and in vain do not have God.2 John 99 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. · True worship is worship that is acceptable to God.John 4:23-2423 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” III. How does God command us to worship Him in spirit and truth? · What day is the church to come together to worship God? o On the first day of the week.Acts 20:77 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. o The elders may appoint additional times and days to gather for bible study.Hebrews 13:1717Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. o In being obedient to God, members of Christ’s church are to attend worship on the first day of the week as well as days appointed by the elders.Hebrews 10:24-2524 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. · The Word of God is to be preached and taught in truth. o The church is to worship God in having His word accurately taught and proclaimed.Acts 20:77 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.Acts 20:2727 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.Matthew 28:19-2019 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. · Prayer is a part of worship.Acts 2:4242 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. · Another part of worship is giving. We are to give cheerfully and not of necessity; therefore, it can’t be forced by leadership and doesn’t have to be a tithe.1 Corinthians 16:1-2 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.2 Corinthians 9:77 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. · When the church is gathered together on the first day of the week to worship God, the Lord’s Supper is to be taken.Matthew 26:26-2926 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”Acts 20:77 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.1 Corinthians 11:23-2823 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. · Singing is also a part of worship.Hebrews 2:1212 saying: “ I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” o Those worshiping God are to sing to Him using their lips and make melody (translated as “pluck the strings”) in their hearts. We are to play our hearts.Ephesians 5:1919 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,Hebrews 13:1515 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. o Singing praises to God is a way to teach the truth to others while playing the instrument that God gave to everyone, our heart! All can play their hearts.Colossians 3:1616 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. · God is the audience in worship as we are worshiping Him. It is not a party and is something that is to be done decently and in order while revering God.1 Corinthians 14:4040 Let all things be done decently and in order.Hebrews 12:2828 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. IV. We are not to go outside of what God has authorized in worship. · We are not to take away or add to God’s commandments.Revelation 22:18-1918 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. · The Old Testament provides an example of God’s displeasure in worshiping in a way in which He has not commanded.Leviticus 10:1-21 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. o Failure to follow the commandments and doctrine of Christ results in the absence of God. 2 John 99Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

Worksheet 5:

1. Based on the foundation of truth that Jesus is the Son of the living God as declared by Peter, Christ said He would build ___________. (Matthew 16:16-18) *

a.) the Catholic churchb.) the Baptist churchc.) His churchd.) the Methodist church

2. A “church” that is not built on the foundation of Christ’s commands _________________. (Matthew 7:24-27) *

a.) will still prevail and overcomeb.) will be ok as long as they at least believe in Christc.) will be like a foolish man whose house was built on sand and then destroyed by the stormd.) can still be founded on truth as long as it is accompanied by commands and doctrinal teachings that come from man

3. Everyone whose faith has not been planted by God and His commands will________________. (Matthew 15:13-14) *

a.) be uprooted b.) still prevail as long as they are a good personc.) not be uprooted because they might not have known betterd.) still be gathered because maybe they were led by false teachers and those who led blindly and not according to God

4. The blind will lead the blind and _________________. (Matthew 15:13-14) *

a.) the blind leaders will fall into a ditch but the followers will still be saved from that ditchb.) both will fall into a ditchc.) the followers will fall into a ditch but the leaders will be saved from that ditch because at least they triedd.) neither will fall into a ditch

5. Christ will declare _____________. (Matthew 7:21-23) *

a.) that everyone is to be acceptedb.) to those who at least did good deeds in His name will be acceptedc.) “I never knew you, depart from Me” to those who practiced lawlessness and who did not do the will of His Fatherd.) “enter in good and faithful servant” to those who may not have obeyed God’s commands but at least said that they followed Christ

6. (True OR False) The scriptures and examples written in the Old Testament are to be used for our learning. (Romans 15:4) *

7. (True OR False) Noah used some redwood to build the ark because although God said to use gopherwood, He never said not to use redwood. (Gen 6:13-22) *

8. (True OR False) Noah didn’t think it made sense to build the ark based on the dimensions commanded by God, after all Noah certainly did not see a need for that big of an ark, so he built one that was smaller. (Genesis 6:13-22) *

9. (True OR False) Since Noah revered God and obeyed His commands; he was saved from the flood. (Genesis 7:23; 1 Peter 3:30-21) *

10. (True OR False) Baptism saves us today, just as the ark was used to save Noah from the flood. (1 Peter 3:20-21) *

11. (True OR False) Since God didn’t use the words “you have to” when saying that the blood should be put on the lintel and the two doorposts, it meant that anything was really ok as long as there was blood somewhere they would be saved. (Exodus 12:21-23, 29) *

12. (True OR False) If one worships God based on the commands and doctrines of men, it is still acceptable worship because they are at least trying. (Mark 7:6-8; Colossians 2:20-23) *

14. (True OR False) If one does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, then they do not have God. (2 John 9) *

15. (True OR False) When we worship God the Father, we are worshiping the almighty authority; therefore, we must do so in the way in which He, God, has commanded us to worship Him by doing it in accordance with His truth. (John 4:23-24) *

16. By following the example of the first century Christians, we can know that we are to worship God on the (____________________) day of every (___________________). (Acts 20:7) *

Please provide your answers in the boxes below each remaining question. Commas can be used to separate answers that have more than one blank.

17. We are to obey the elders within the church and be (______________) because they watch out for our (____________). (Hebrews 13:17) *

Please separate answers with commas.

18. We must attend both worship services and Bible studies because we are told not to (________________________) the assembling of the church. (Hebrews 10:24-25) *

19. Those that preach during worship must declare the (____________________) council of God. Meaning, preachers can’t avoid certain commands that may be difficult for some to hear due to the change that they would have to make in their lives to be acceptable in the sight of God. For example a preacher can’t avoid teaching the truth about divorce and remarriage (Matthew 5:32; 19:9- that it is only permissible in the case of fornication). (Acts 20:27) *

20. Those in the first century church continued in the apostles’ doctrine, in the breaking of bread, and in (____________________). (Acts 2:42) *

21. We are to give on the first day of the week as we (______________) in our heart and not of necessity. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7) *

22. In the first century church we read that on the first day of the week the disciples came together to break (________________) and when we eat the bread and drink the cup, we (__________________) the Lord’s death until He comes. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28) *

Please separate answers with commas.

23. When we sing we are to (_________________) (__________________) in our (______________________). (Ephesians 5:19) *

Please separate answers with commas.

24. Worshiping God should be done (_____________) and in order with reverence and Godly (________). (1 Corinthians 14:40; Hebrews 12:28) *

Please separate answers with commas.

25. Nadab and Abihu were devoured by the Lord’s fire because they offered profane fire before the Lord which He had (__________________) commanded them. (Leviticus 10:1-2) *

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